HF 308

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 01/17/2017 10:33am

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring school districts to adopt a policy on recess for
elementary school students; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 121A.215.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin PURPOSE.
new text end

new text begin The legislature finds that students at the elementary level must have the opportunity to
participate in daily recess. The legislature also finds that recess provides children with
unstructured time to engage in physical activity that helps to develop healthy minds and
bodies. As childhood obesity rates rise, it is important to ensure that children have the time
for physical activity. Insufficient physical activity and excessive calories consumed is
well-known as a critical factor for this alarming increase in overweight and obese children.
As Minnesota strives to be the healthiest state in the nation, we must continue to encourage
our children to engage in physical activity so they can develop healthy minds and bodies.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 121A.215, is amended to read:

121A.215 LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT WELLNESS POLICIES; new text begin RECESS; new text end WEB
SITE.

When available, a school district must post its current local school wellness policy on
its Web site. new text begin A school district must have a policy on the total number of minutes of recess
each day for its students in kindergarten through grade 5.
new text end